Wondering what to pack for Florence?

Stop spending precious gelato money ordering things you don’t need online. This packing list includes all the essentials for every season based on our extensive travel and Florence experience.

Florence should be an easy city to pack for, right? You’ll probably walk a lot, explore some world-class galleries, and eat a lot of gelato.

Figuring out what to wear in Florence should be no big deal. Except it’s never that easy.

If you don’t travel often or have never traveled to Italy, you won’t already own the essentials. Seasonal weather changes are a factor, as are your activities.

There are certain things that I do not travel without, no matter what time of year I’m on the move or where I’m going.

These travel essentials should definitely be on your packing list, specifically:

• Neck pillow: If you’re flying to Florence from North America, you’re probably traveling overnight. You need as much sleep as possible to combat jetlag. Neck pillows and eye masks are essential accessories.
• Water bottle: Tap water is perfectly safe in Florence, so carry a water bottle to fill up when you can. Stainless steel bottles are best for keeping the water cool, but collapsible bottles are less bulky.
• Luggage scales: One of the best things about visiting Italy, anywhere in Italy, is bringing home souvenirs. But you don’t want to find out you bought too many bottles of Brunello di Montalcino at your wine tasting in the Tuscan countryside at the airport. Pack a small luggage scale to avoid overweight baggage fees.
• Portable charger: Smartphones drain their batteries super fast these days. Especially when you’re taking hundreds of photos and checking directions. Pack a portable battery charger so you always have juice.

• Travel plug adapter: Italy uses the Type C plug socket. You will need a plug adapter to use your electronics in Florence. Choose one with USB ports so you don’t have to pack more than one.
• First-aid kit: You hope never to need it, but you’ll always be glad to have it when you do. Pack blister bandages in particular.
• Ear plugs: Great to use on the plane and at night in your hotel room if the street outside is noisy.
• Washcloths: Pack basic toiletries, especially items that aren’t as common in Florence. Many hotels won’t provide washcloths, just hand towels and bath towels.
• eSIM: Phone coverage is essential on any Italian vacation. You’ll need data for messaging, map apps, and ticket confirmations. If your current plan doesn’t cover Italy, buy an eSIM to activate when you land.
• Travel insurance: It’s not something you ‘pack’ but there’s nothing more essential than what to pack for Florence than travel insurance. It protects your finances if you have a medical emergency or lose your luggage.

Anti-Theft Items

Florence’s Uffizi Gallery is one of the most pick-pocketed places in Italy outside of Rome. Unfortunately, as a tourist, you could be a target of petty theft during your trip.

Luckily, when considering what to pack for Florence you can bring accessories to make it much harder for thieves to steal your belongings. Here are our top anti-theft items to stay safe while traveling:

• Money belt: Not a ‘cool’ thing to wear in Florence but no one should see it anyway. Hide your cash in an RFID-blocking belt around your waist.
• Anti-theft backpack: Interlocking zippers, slash-resistant material, hidden pockets… use one of the many anti-theft backpacks out there to help keep your valuables safe.
• Cross-body bag: It’s difficult for criminals to grab your bag if you’re wearing the strap across your body. Choose one with a zip and a flap. There are even anti-theft versions with RFID blockers, hooks on the zips, and slash-proof stainless steel in the strap.

Winter weather in Florence rarely dips below freezing, but it is cold.

Rain is always a pretty strong possibility in winter too so I never go anywhere without an umbrella. But take a leaf out of Sweden’s book when thinking about what to pack for Florence, they tell their children that “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”.

What to Wear in the Winter in Florence

The best way to get around Florence is to walk everywhere. While the historic center is compact, you will need comfortable walking shoes. Pack waterproof boots (that you’ve already broken in) before you visit Florence. Bring a pair of sturdy sneakers as a backup.

Winter means it will be cold outside, but not so much indoors. Jeans, and layers of sweaters, button-downs, and long-sleeved tops are ideal.

Winter Packing Essentials

• E-tip gloves: Wearing gloves that allow you to use your phone is one of the best inventions!
• Wool hat and scarf: Choose fashion-forward winter accessories as these will be in your photos but remember to choose warm options.
• Warm socks: Sweat-wicking, merino wool socks will keep your feet warm and blister-free, one of my best recent travel discoveries.
• Down coat: Many people in Italy like wearing lightweight puffer jackets that work well with heavier layers. Choose one in a neutral color that matches your clothes so you don’t need to bring more than one.
• Umbrella: If you prefer to wear warm wool coats in Florence, you’ll need a small umbrella in your bag to shield you from the rain.

You’ll still need to wrap up warm in early spring.

Rain is still common, but the weather in Florence is generally pleasant and dry by May.

What to Wear in the Spring in Florence

Layering is key when planning what to wear in Florence in spring.

Pack comfortable shoes like boots and sneakers which will support your feet when walking around all day, as well as keeping them dry.

You’ll need clothing that you can take on and off throughout the day as while the mornings and nights can be chilly, the days are warm especially as we get closer to summer.

Dress in jeans or lighter trousers, t-shirts, cotton dresses and sweaters. Don’t rule out wearing long maxi dresses in late spring, it’s practically summer after all and Florence can be warmer than you might think.

Spring Packing Essentials

• Light jacket: Pack a fashion-forward light jacket like a trench coat or denim jacket in neutral colors to match your clothes. You may need a light raincoat too.
• Umbrella: Yep, a small travel umbrella is your first line of defense in the rain.
• Light scarf: It’s the perfect accessory to put on when the weather grows cooler in the evening and I can always fit one in even a small bag.
• Sunglasses: The Tuscan sun starts to shine brighter and longer at this time of year.
• Backpack: You can get away with carrying a smaller bag in other seasons, but in the spring I find that I need something a bit bigger to store your layers, umbrella and other personal items.

Living la bella vita during a Florentine summer means it’ll be hot, hot, hot. The mornings and nights are warm and the summer sun beams over the city by midday.

What to Wear in the Summer in Florence

You might be tempted to dress in tank tops, crop tops, short shorts, or workout clothing when you visit Florence in summer. These outfits are in theory fine when walking around Florence, but you won’t be allowed into churches.

The Duomo Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and many others have a strict dress code which requires you to cover your shoulders, midriff and knees. Plus, I find that wearing loose clothing that covers more is actually cooler.

Florence gets extremely hot and humid in the height of summer and tight, synthetic clothing just does not work in these conditions.

Bring dresses, flowy skirts, linen pants, t-shirts, and long Bermuda shorts in light colors made with natural materials.

Comfortable walking shoes are still a must in summer. Pack a pair of tennis shoes (that you’ve broken in!) and supportive sandals, and please leave the flip-flops at home. I’ve seen so many people struggle with flip-flops over the years, they just don’t work as a practical shoe for being on your feet all day.

I recommend bringing a light sweater or jacket in case you get a little chilly during the summer nights, you’ll need one for the flight anyway and it can come in handy during your trip.

Summer Packing Essentials

• Sunglasses: These are non-negotiable in the summer sun.
• Sunscreen and bug-repellent: You can buy sunscreen in Florence, but pack high SPF sunscreen so you are prepared. Mosquitoes are most active in Florence from April to October, so bring strong bug repellent.
• Wide-brim hat: Wearing SPF is great, but nothing beats clothing and hats for sun protection. Invest in a fashionable wide-brim hat or a UV-blocking baseball cap.
• Handheld fan: You will need a handheld fan or neck fan when walking around the city.
• Swimsuit: You never know when the opportunity for a dip will arise.

September is practically summer weather in Florence whereas the weather turns in October and November, becoming chillier and rainier.

What to Wear in the Fall in Florence

It’s super easy to figure out what to pack for Florence in September. Simply wear whatever you would in summer with the addition of a jacket and a couple of warmer tops.

Pack for an October or November vacation like you would do for the spring. Layer up with t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, and jeans, going heavier as the season goes on. You could get away with wearing long dresses in fall if it’s not too cold and wet, and we do get some unusually warm days in October.

You’ll still need to wear comfortable shoes when pounding the city streets so waterproof boots and tennis shoes are a winner.

Fall Packing Essentials

• Small umbrella: Keep a travel umbrella on you at all times.
• Waterproof raincoat: It’s more likely to rain in the fall, so pack a raincoat as well as an umbrella.
• Scarf: Italians wear scarves year-round. They’re the perfect accessory when it starts to feel a little colder.
• Button-downs: You can easily layer these shirts and remove them if it gets too hot.
• Leggings: You can layer these underneath dresses just in case it’s a little chillier than you expected but you still want to wear the cute outfits you brought.

Unless you’ve booked a Michelin-starred, seven-course meal at a restaurant with a dress code, you don’t need to pack anything fancy for dining out.

However, people in Italy don’t wear tank tops and shorts for dinner. The average American might wear clothes like this for dinner at home in summer, but Italians dress a little more modestly.

That doesn’t mean you need to pack more outfits though.

There are ways to dress up what you wear in Florence during the day. Keep the sundress and swap the tennis shoes for a pair of sandals. Swap canvas shorts for jeans to go with your t-shirt and stylish sneakers.

Boots, a pair of jeans, and a cardigan can be instantly dressed up with a button-down. I find that a couple of nicer outfits are all I need for the evenings.

So that’s your complete Florence packing list, whenever you’re visiting.

But before you start your packing, there are some items that you categorically should NOT pack for your vacation:

• Hair tools: Electrical sockets in Italy have a supply voltage of 230v. If you’re traveling from North America, your electronics work with 120V. Less powerful electrical items like phone chargers have dual voltage capabilities, but powerful tools like hair dryers don’t. They probably won’t work or, worse, will be fried.

• Large suitcases: Florence has narrow, cobblestone streets. Even if your transfer from Florence Airport can drop you off close to your hotel, you will still be struggling to carry large bags. The city has tons of stairs (some buildings have no elevators) and you can forget trying to drag a heavy suitcase on a busy train if you’re going to other places like Rome or Naples. Figure out what to pack for Florence so your luggage is as light and small as possible.
• High heels: Did you read what I wrote above about cobblestones? If you must pack shoes to increase your height, opt for a pair of wedge heels instead.